Here’s a nifty script for pulling in dynamic content into a DIV, http://www.dhtmlgoodies.com/index.html?whichScript=ajax-dynamic-content. You can load external files into DIV’s on an existing page. This can make for easier content management and works as well as server side includes or php includes.
Create a Scrolling DIV
Here’s a simple Javascript that creates a scrolling DIV, http://javascript.internet.com/miscellaneous/scroll-div-horizontal.html. With a little editing you can create a carousel effect like Amazon.com uses to display products.
You need to keep the copyright information in the Javascript code to use the script on your site. It is FREE!
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noobSlide using mootools
I found an ultra cool AJAX sliding effect that uses mootools, noobSlide. You see the “sliding” effect on many homepages like Amazon and Shopping.com.
For you AJAX newbies (me included) this script is fairly easy to install.
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EZ way to make a comparison shopping site and import data into MYSQL
If you’re in the market for a nice and inexpensive comparison shopping script, head on over to pricetapestry.com. Based on another script called MagicParser by the same author, you can import any datafeed or xml feed into a MYSQL databases and present that data using price tapestry. The script(s) are very easy to use right out of the box but if you run into trouble tech support is good about returning emails in a timely fashion (actually I’ve had superb support from day one) the forum is very helpful if you need assistance or mods. The price comparison is not perfect but overall this script is well worth the money.
If you buy price tapestry, magic parser is included or you can buy it separately at MagicParser.com. Magic Parser can parse data from CSV files, RSS feeds and even XML feeds. Or use it to display RSS feeds on your site, data from Amazon’s API or Ebay’s affiliate RSS feeds.
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If You’re New to Web Design Open Source is Your Friend
If you’re thinking about starting a website and have little knowledge of web design then you might consider exploring some open source software/scripts that are available for FREE!
My first choice would be WordPress. It’s the most widely used blog platform and is very easy to use. Most shared hosts even offer free installation in their control panels. Usually installation is point and click if your host does offer WordPress. But even if your host does not, all you need to do is download the zip at WordPress.org file follow the directions in the readme file. The only tricky party for a newbie is setting up the mysql database. I suggest emailing your hosts support team to set up a database for you. I recently set up a site for a client using WordPress to power the site, the Stone Horse Inn. There are some great free plugins as well, like image galleries and thousands of free templates.
I am in the process of toying with Joomla. If your looking for a robust content management system and your low on funds then Joomla is theway to go. The learning curve is steeper than WordPress. Installation is as simple but once you login to the admin area you have many more options. Joomla has a number of plugins and some free templates are available. On the right side of this page are some decent Joomla related links.
Good luck with your next web project!
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If You Mod or Administer a forum or Bulletin Board You’ll Like This Site
Stopforumspam.com is a forum moderators best friend. I own and moderate a forum and even after using captcha images and questions to deter spambots some of those pesky devils slip through. I use spamforumcheck as the last line of defense. It’s easy to use, just search using the email address of the potential new member or spammer.
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CSS Only Tabs
If you have a list of information to present you can make it “pretty” by using CSS tabs. The crew over at 3point7designs provide a great example at their blog, http://www.3point7designs.com/blog/cssdomtabs.html.
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mooSlide – cool slide up effect
If you’re looking for an alternative to light box then check out mooSlide. Rather than popup a new overlay in the middle of the page, the popup comes straight from the bottom. I could see this coming in handy when linking to external sites and you want to show a thumbnail and addition information.
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Greybox – Nice Lightbox Window for External Content or Image Galleries
Greybox is a nice little AJAX effect for pop up windows. If you want a nice image gallery or an alternate way to display external links on your own site, give greybox some serious consideration.
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Some Nice Free CSS Based Templates
Six Shooter Media offer 11 free CSS based templates. These are very nice and only require you keep a backlink in the footer. If you’re new to web design it might help to have a decent html editor like Dreamweaver to edit these templates.
